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RESEARCH SUMMARY

Primary Care for Adults and Children, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes in Youth

Risk of type 2 diabetes is a rising problem for children, especially among minority groups. To test the feasibility of a community-based, family oriented program to decrease overweight and risk of diabetes in African American youth on Chicago's South Side, we developed the REACH-OUT nutrition and exercise program. The University of Chicago is partnering with the South Side YMCA and the Hyde Park Coop Markets to implement and evaluate this weekly program for children aged 9-12 and their families. Families visit the University of Chicago Clinical Research Center for measurements of body habitus, glucose tolerance and lipids, as well as assessment of nutrition and exercise behaviors. They attend weekly sessions at the Y and the Coop Markets designed to help them set and reach their own goals in the areas of nutrition and physical activity. After fourteen weekly sessions, families return for monthly follow-up sessions, and measures taken at baseline are repeated at 14 weeks, and at one and two years. This project is currently in the pilot phase; plans for a larger, long term study are underway, and efforts are being made to extend this project into our local public schools.